Retirement car

Can you provide more detail about she likes and dislikes in a car, and how large a vehicle she prefers?

Without more to go on I'd suggest a Buick Encore or a Lexus NX. The Volvo XC60 could also be a very good choice. It's less reliable than the others, but still around the average, and a very comfortable crossover.

The upcoming Buick Envision might also be a good choice, but at this point its reliability is unknown.

Your budget of $41k for a NEW Luxury SUV limits the choices significantly. Personally, I'd be looking at a CPO 2014-2015 Acura MDX, but that's just me.

I second mkaresh's recommendation of the Volvo XC60.

The Lexus NX would likely be the most reliable of any Luxury SUV in your price range, but the styling is love it or hate it (and I truly hate it). Lexus has ruined their entire lineup with that godawful 'corporate' front end design.

I also don't care for the Buick Encore. It's just not a very impressive vehicle to me.

I would suggest taking a look at the Jeep Grand Cherokee. If there's any question about the JGC being a 'luxury' SUV, a test drive and a a few minutes seeing and touching the interior materials (especially on the Overland) will put those doubts to rest. Reliability has been spotty, but I still love them.

A final suggestion would be the Acura RDX. It should be as reliable as a Lexus, even if the Acura name doesn't have the same 'prestige' as Lexus. It's a very nice SUV and definitely upscale.

If you want a NEW lux SUV here are my recommendations.

A Acura RDX starts about 35k and is nicely optioned for your 41k price point.

A Lexus NX starts also at 35k but the looks are a love it or hate it.

I would avoid anything Buick. The Encore has a small engine and is very pokey. The Enclave has the 3.6L V6 that has a TON of problems plaguing that engine.

I actually thought of another SUV that is definitely worthy of consideration, but it won't be available for a few more months. It's the 2016 Mazda CX-9!

I have a 2012 CX-9 Grand Touring and it definitely meets the definition of 'near-luxury'. The newly designed 2016 (or they may call it a 2017) CX-9 is even better. It reminds me of the Volvo XC90, at least in concept and execution.

A new top-of-the-line trim 'Signature' trim level has been added to the existing Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. It stickers for $44k and has Auburn-colored Nappa Leather, genuine rosewood trim made by Japanese guitar-maker Fujigen, LED signature accent grille and interior lighting and a lot of other very attractive, high-end features.

You'd be doing yourself (and your wife) a disservice if you dismissed the CX-9 soley because it doesn't have a luxury name brand. A perfect example of quality and luxury versus a brand name- there are several Kia/Hyundai models that I'd buy in a heartbeart over some entry-level Mercedes-Benz vehicles....even at the same price! The way that M-B has suddenly managed to have several models starting in the low $30s is very simple- they're made out of cheap materials and they're not well-engineered.

I agree about RDX.

I'm 47 year old female and looking for same retirement in an suV.

Im leaning more for Acura RDX. Also looked at Toyota Highlander.

acura is luxury without breaking bank. I can afford more but why?

ive been a life long Honda Accord driver and never habe any problems with my cars.

I almost went with Lexus but a basic entry RDX gave me more features than a basic Ndx Lexus.

I did like the Bmw but I felt the Acura was more comfortable.

If if I had s lor more to spend I really like the Acura MDX. That was like sitting on aN angle wing. Ha!
Hope that helps.